Old-Fashioned Hair Care Tips and Natural Treatments

Historical Hair Practices

Ancient Assyrians wore curled hair with gold dust; Egyptians shaved heads and wore wigs, using henna and indigo dyes. Indian women traditionally use herbal shampoos, coconut/olive oil, avoiding chemicals. Modern advice varies, but fundamentals remain.

Best Hair Care Practices

• Nutrition: Balanced diet; protein deficiency causes thinning, dull hair.
• Shampoo: High-quality, diluted 50/50 with water. Wash daily; avoid very hot water.
• Brushing: Twice daily, massage scalp. Don't over-brush—irritates scalp and breaks hair.
• Haircut: Choose a cut that enhances your hair's natural attributes.

Most Damaging Practices

• Avoid styling aids, heat, chemical processes. Permed hair is 30% weaker.
• Teasing/back-combing tears cuticles.
• Rough treatment (hot dryers, harsh shampoos) causes split ends.
• Dandruff causes: infrequent shampooing, insufficient rinsing, poor diet, poor scalp circulation. Treat with scalp massage, mild shampoo, antiseptic lotion if needed.
• Don't brush wet hair. Comb gently with wide-tooth comb; dry before brushing.

Natural Hair Treatments

Color-Enhancing Rinses

• Blonde: lemon juice, chamomile tea, or white vinegar in final rinse.
• Dark: cider vinegar, rosemary, or sage.
• Reddish highlights on blonde/light brown: green pekoe tea rinse.

Egg Shampoo

Steep 1 oz fresh rosemary in 1 pint hot water 20 min. Cool. Beat in 1 egg. Massage into wet hair; rinse.

Herbal Rinses for Oily Hair

Steep handful of lemongrass, nettle, peach leaves, rosemary, southernwood, or yarrow in 1 quart hot water. Cool; pour over wet hair after shampooing.

Hair Ointment

Blend 2 Tbsp castor oil, 2 Tbsp lard, few drops rosemary oil. Or add rosemary/lemon oil to ¼ cup almond/olive oil.

Source: The 1994 Old Farmer's Almanac